Kansas Credit Unions Honor Industry Leaders, Celebrate 79 Years

Inspire. Create. Innovate. Credit union staff and volunteers celebrated creativity and new ways of thinking at the Kansas Credit Union Association’s Annual Meeting & Convention in Wichita last weekend. KCUA celebrated 79 years of service, as well as honored five leaders for their contributions to the credit union movement.

Special guests at the annual meeting and convention included Bill Cheney, president & CEO of the Credit Union National Association who spoke at the business meeting, and Congressman Mike Pompeo who was our Governmental Affairs luncheon speaker.

AWARDSHENRY PETERSON PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEARJames D. Holt, President/CEO, Mid American Credit Union (Wichita, KS), was recognized for his leadership within the Kansas credit union community.

JOHN MICHENER VOLUNTEER OF THE YEARRonald Kelley, Catholics United Credit Union (1938-2013) (Hutchinson, KS) was honored posthumously for his contribution and devotion as a volunteer to credit unions and the greater community.

KCUA HALL OF FAMEHenry Peterson (1893-1984) and John Michener (1894-1986) were honored posthumously for their dedication and passion as leaders, advocates and mentors in the Kansas credit union movement.

POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT AWARDGreg Winkler, Educational Credit Union, (Topeka, KS) received the Political Involvement Award, recognizing his extraordinary effort and involvement in educating both state and national policymakers on the credit union difference.

BOARD ELECTIONSAt the Association’s business meeting, Don Homan of Frontier Community Credit Union, Leavenworth, KS, was elected chairman to both the Kansas Credit Union Association and Shared Financial Solution board of directors.

John Beverlin, President/CEO of Mainstreet Credit Union was elected vice chair of the KCUA Board of Directors.

Garth Strand, President/CEO of Hutchinson Credit Union was re-elected to the board for his second term, and James Nastars, President/CEO, Meritrust Credit Union, was elected to represent credit unions with assets of $75 million and greater.